ED: We want answers

There is much grief, anger, and frustration surrounding the Moghbazar explosion, which killed at least seven people, and injured at least 50. But most of all, there are questions. Questions such as: How did this happen? Who can be held accountable? From slum fires to warehouse explosions, why do such urban disasters keep happening in Dhaka?

Right now, there are more questions than answers, but people demand -- and have a right to -- answers. Not only that, we, the citizens, deserve to able to go about our lives safely, and it is up to the authorities to make sure at-risk situations, like the Moghbazar site, are diffused well before they turn into tragedy. The IGP did not draw any conclusions, saying: “I do not want to make any comment in this regard. We can draw a conclusion after getting opinions of the experts.” 

However, the IGP also added: “When gas cylinders are not properly maintained, they can turn into explosives.” In that case, who was responsible for maintaining the cylinders in question, and will they be brought to book for negligence that caused the death of seven people? 

Bangladesh boasts of highly ambitious infrastructure projects, but the simple fact is, all such developmental showpieces mean nothing if citizens are in danger in the city, and basic safety is not prioritized. Year after year, we fail to bring buildings up to code, we fail to properly check and maintain gas and electrical lines, leaving open the possibilities of sabotage, and quite simply, we fail to prioritize on human life. We do not want empty assurances from the government -- we want answers, and we want action.